The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-01-21
A GREAT EXPLOSION.

A Cargo of Giant Powder IxpIodes or
Board a Grounded Vessel the Pacific
Coast-Three Men Seriously Injured
Several Buildings Almost Totally De
moIisheds
SAN Francisco, Jan. 1.-THE Cliff House
was badly damaged and other buildings in
the vicinity were wrecked early yesterday
morning by the explosion of a great guam
tlty OF giant powder on board the schooner
Parallel, which had been driven on the
rocks at Point Lobos. Three men We're
badly hurt
The Parallel sailed Friday last with a
cargo OF general merchandise for Astoria,
Ore. She proceeded north until compelled
by strong head winds to return. She
reached the entrance to the Golden Gate
Saturday evening. The wind had died
out and being caught by strong tide
the vessel was swept ashore at the
south end of Point Lobos, inside the
famous seal rocks opposite the Cliff House
The life saving station people, near by
were promptly notified and fastened TO the
scene of the wreck. The captain Of the
schooner and all hands aboard had taken
to the boats, and were making for the
land.
The men from the hfe-saving station,
seeing that nothing could be done and
knowing that the schooner had been
abandoned by her officers and crew, With
drew from the scene at few minutes be-
fore one o'clock. They had hardly reached
the station building when fearful explo-
sion occurred, causing destruction on all
sides. The beating of the schooner
against the rocks had caused the powder to
ignite and the entire quantity aboard
yearly 100000 pounds-had exploded.
70 those living in the neighborhood the
effect was frightful. The signal-station
was demolished. The life-saving station
was also wrecked, and the west side of the
Cliff House, Notwithstanding its eIeva-
ton, was blown out, and every
window-pane in the building broken.
A large concert-room on the beach
and other buildings lower down had
all their windows broken and were other
wise more or less damaged. A long car
riage shed adjoining the Cliff House was
tumbled into mass of ruins Adolph
Sutro's conservatory on the heights above
was shattered into atoms, and all the win
dows in his house were broken.
Three members of the ,ife-saving crew
who had built fire on the beach and who
had decided to remain near the wreck were
hurled into the air by the conclusion, and
were severely injured in being dashed to-
the earth. The remaining members of the
crew who had returned to the station
rushed to the rescue of the injured and car
ried them to the station. Medical aid was
summoned and every thing necessary to re-
lieve their injuries done.
The famous Cliff House presents scene
beggaring description. The west side Of
he b.,sI1 ho 10
pletely ruined and only held together by
the cross beams. The windows are smashed
and the doors are twisted off their hinges,
and the whole side is so shattered that it
will have to be taken down, even if it does
not topple over into the ocean.
The captain and crew of the Parallel a.
rived yesterday morning on the ferry-bost
from Saucelito. On taking to the small-boat
they were carried by the tide to Saucelit)
before they could make a landing.
The powder was shipped by 2an5manD,
Nelson d Co., of this city, and was in
tended for railroad construction purposes.
The vessel was literally 0bliterated, I few
pieces of floating wreckage being all that
can be seen. She was valued at 81 900, and
was owned by s. B. Peterson, of this city
She was insured for s., 500
The explosion was so terrific and oo--
Cured so close to the seal rocks that it was
supposed an immense number of seals had
been killed by the conclusion. Such proves,
not to be the case. Two dead seals only
have been seen. A rumOr is current that
the explosion was caused by an internal
machine aboard, but all the facts
dispute such supposition. The ex-
plosion was distinctly heard at Oak
land and San Jose, and even as far as
Sacramento, a distance of over 100
miles. Captain Jordan, of the ship Com
modore, which arrived yesterday from
Port Discovery, says he felt the shock fif-
teen miles out at sea. The injured life-sav-
ing men are progressing favorably, and
they will probably recover.